The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Division of Youth Services has awarded $307,881 to local municipalities and nonprofit community-based organizations to fund 21 programs that enhance the lives and safety of young people throughout the County through the Youth Development Program (YDP) and Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA).
YDP funding targets services that promote safety, supportive relationships and other positive assets by engaging and empowering youth. RHYA funding targets youth who need temporary shelter or assistance with independent living skills. The County’s Division of Youth Services administers YDP and RHYA funds for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Karmen Smallwood, DCFS’ Assistant Commissioner for Youth Services, said, “Creating a community where young people can thrive is a top priority, and Dutchess County proudly partners with local organizations who can enhance children’s lives and help them flourish. We look forward to continued collaborations that improve young people’s development and help ensure they become successful adults.”
The Division of Youth Services is currently seeking proposals for YDP and RHYA services for program year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to programs that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes, as outlined in the OCFS-5003 Program Components-Coding Document, Rev. 3/2018. Programs must address one of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ six life areas, which are: Economic Security, Physical and Emotional Health, Education, Citizenship/Civic Engagement, Family and Community.
Programs funded through YDP and RHYA are selected through a competitive Request for Proposals process. The Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council are responsible for reviewing, and scoring each grant proposal and making allocation recommendations to the County Executive.
Programs are expected to demonstrate knowledge of and have staff trained in Positive Youth Development. Agencies will also be expected to show how the program addresses one of Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains/value areas. Programs must serve Dutchess County youth up to 21 years of age for the program year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. Eligible applicants should be either a county municipality or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization with a federal identification number and charity registration number, operating in Dutchess County with the ability to meet the County’s insurance requirements.
The Division of Youth Services has scheduled two grant workshops for nonprofit agencies and municipalities at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie; each workshop takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:
• Tuesday, March 7, 2023
• Thursday, March 9, 2023
All grant proposals are due to the Division of Youth Services on or before Thursday, March 30th by 5 p.m.
Interested organizations can contact Juliana Corbett at 845-486-3354 or Juliana.Corbett@dfa.state.ny.us to register for a workshop. Each session will review the step-by-step process of applying online through the Dutchess County Grant Portal and address any concerns or questions.